6/30: Battle For First

by | Jun 30, 2008 | Game Threads, James Shields, Justin Masterson, Tampa Bay Rays

Prev. Gm:

Boston Red Sox (50-34) @ Tampa Bay Rays (49-32)
Justin Masterson (4-1, 3.43) @ James Shields (5-5, 3.76)
7:05 PM EDT | Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, FL)
TV: NESN RADIO: WRKO 680, SBN 1150

GAME NOTES: With another one run loss to Astros and the Rays winning a close series in Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay has overtaken the Red Sox for first place. Perfect time for the Rays and Sox to meet up in a vital late June-early July series. The Sox have to deal with Tampa's best three starters, beginning tonight with James Shields, who threw a complete game shutout against Boston at the Trop earlier in the year. At 5-5 with a 3.76 ERA, he's slowed down a bit. Another very tough test for the young Justin Masterson tonight.